Iomega Unveils Predator External CD-RW Drive

November 8, 2000 - Iomega today unveiled the new shape of CD-RW: the Iomega Predator external CD-RW drive.
Iomega's new Predator CD-RW drive will debut at the Comdex technology trade show this November in Las Vegas and is expected at retail in the U.S. in January 2001. The Predator CD-RW drive combines breakthrough design, interchangeable interfaces, and a comprehensive software bundle to deliver outstanding value to consumers.

The new Iomega Predator external CD-RW drive is compatible with Macintosh and PC platforms and sets a new standard of sleek functionality for external CD-RW drives. Iomega has discarded the shoe-box dimensions of typical CD-RW products and trimmed away the excess bulk and weight. The result: an exciting new low-profile design of sculpted curves and rounded edges. In another departure from the bland styling of competing products, the Predator drive's case is finished in a textured cobalt-blue with silver accents. The drive also replaces the motorized front-loading drive tray of most other external drives with a top-loading design similar to that of portable CD players. The new design is quieter, mechanically simpler and treats CDs more gently than front-loading players, which can pinch an improperly inserted disc.

"Iomega is making big gains in CD-RW sales by identifying and meeting emerging consumer needs," said Doug Collier, vice president of product management and business development, Iomega Corporation. "The CD-RW market is expected to more than double this year, and yet the number of computers sold without a CD-RW drive is projected to continue growing. Our position as the number two brand in U.S. retail CD-RW sales tells us that there is a huge opportunity to meet the consumer need for style and simplicity in an easy-to-use external drive, and that's exactly what we have created with the Iomega Predator drive."

The Predator CD-RW drive, which has a rated performance of 8X4X32X (8X write-once, 4X rewrite, 32X read), supports popular interfaces by using detachable and interchangeable adapters. The Predator drive will begin shipping in late December bundled with a USB 1.1 adapter offering 4X4X6X performance, and in early 2001 the drive will be bundled with a FireWire adapter offering 8X4X32X performance. With additional options planned for release in 2001, users will be able to easily switch among any of four hot-swappable connection types: USB 1.1, FireWire, PCMCIA, and USB 2.0. These choices will give Predator owners the freedom to transform their drives as needed for different desktop and laptop interfaces, so they are ready for the future.

The Predator drive's installation is as simple as installing the software and plugging in the drive; new users will be up and running in minutes. The software suite includes Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.0, Adaptec DirectCD 3.0, Adaptec Toast, MusicMatch Jukebox Plus, MGI PhotoSuite, Iomega Quik Sync 2 software (30-day Trial Version) and Adobe ActiveShare software. Also included in the package are two CD-R discs and one pre-formatted CD-RW disc, audio cables, data cable, external power supply and a third-party bonus software offer.

The Iomega Predator external CD-RW drive in USB 1.1 configuration is expected in U.S. stores in January of 2001 for $269.95 (U.S. estimated retail price). The Predator drive with FireWire support will be available in U.S. stores in the first quarter of 2001 for $349.95 (U.S. estimated retail price). To purchase from Iomega directly, visit www.iomegadirect.com.

About Iomega CD-RW Drives
Iomega began marketing optical drives in August 1999 with the introduction of the PC-compatible internal 4X4X24X ATAPI CD-RW drive. In December 1999, Iomega followed up with the PC-compatible external USB CD-RW drive, adding Macintosh(r) software drivers and support in March 2000. Iomega added an 8X4X32X internal CD-RW drive, a 12X4X32X internal CD-RW drive, and a 12X10X32X internal CD-RW drive to its product line earlier this year.

About Iomega
Iomega Corporation (NYSE:IOM) manufactures and markets the award-winning Zip, Jaz and PocketZip drives and disks, the HipZip digital audio player, the FotoShow digital image center, and Iomega Quik Sync 2 software; Iomega also markets Iomega CD-RW drives and discs. Iomega's products help people to save, share, manage and create important information such as Internet downloads, audio files, personal photographs, spreadsheets, and slides, while protecting that content from viruses and hackers. Used in homes, businesses, government and educational facilities and by creative professionals everywhere, Iomega storage solutions are the enabling technologies preferred by millions. The Company can be reached at 1-888-4-IOMEGA (888-446-6342), or on the Web at www.iomega.com.

Source: Iomega

Comdex

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